Missing for 22 years: Frank Davis found in the Kootenay River

For 22 years, Frank Davis’ disappearance remained an unanswered mystery for his family.

Davis was 40 years old when he disappeared from Creston, BC, leaving loved ones who spent years wondering what happened to him.

Now, a diving team called Adventures with Purpose has made a discovery beneath the waters of the Kootenay River near Creston: Frank’s car, upside down on the riverbed, with his body inside.

Divers begin by identifying a person’s last known location and use available information to map potential areas where their vehicle may have entered the water. The team then used sonar to scan beneath the surface, methodically ruling out locations until they found a clue.

For Davis, the search lasted until the eighth hour before teams found his car across the river.

“The 11th search was when the car was across the river. We were able to work very quickly,” said Bryon Leisek, Adventures With Purpose diver.

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Adventures with Purpose is an American diving team best known for its YouTube channel, which documents searches for missing people and vehicles believed to be underwater.

The team works with families and law enforcement to help provide answers to long-unsolved cases and does not charge families or police departments for their recovery efforts.

For families who have spent years wondering what happened to a loved one, teamwork can help provide answers and a sense of closure.

For Davis’ brother, Reid Davis, the discovery brought back a lot of emotions. After 22 years without answers, Reid said he almost stopped believing he would ever find out what happened.

“It feels numb at first; after all this time, you think you’ll never have this moment, and then it’s just a flood of memories again, all the things you’ve held onto for years,” Reid said.

Now, Reid hopes the family can move forward by sharing Frank’s story, especially with his youngest son, who was only two years old when his father disappeared.

Frank’s niece, Lenelle Davis, remembers her youth when he disappeared. But he did not forget the uncertainty that occurred, especially for his grandmother, Frank’s mother, who died without knowing what happened to her son.

“How can you be at peace without knowing what happened to your child?” Lenelle said. “I always felt heartbroken for him.”

Although the discovery may finally answer where Davis was found, it does not explain exactly how he ended up in the river.

Kade Pigg, producer for Adventures With Purpose, said the team believes the car went into the water near an abandoned ferry crossing.

“We just determine the where, not the why,” Pigg said.

Police said Davis’ death is not being treated as suspicious and foul play is not suspected.

For his family, this discovery means they no longer have to wonder where Frank is. As Lenelle says, there is relief in knowing “he is home and resting and we are not left wondering.”

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